A lead

Alberto paced in front of his bed, and his eyes were fixed on Lucia, who was still sleeping. He held his phone to his ear, and waited for his ally to be, to answer the phone. Lucia opened her eyes, and she saw Alberto pacing. He was dressed in a blue shirt and black office trousers.

“What’s wrong?” She rubbed her sleepy eyes with her finger, as she looked at him.

“I am trying his number again. I pray he answers his phone.”

“Alberto, it’s 6 am. Why would he answer the phone this early?” Lucia checked her phone for the time.

“Why would be still be awake by…” He couldn’t finish his statement when his phone vibrated.

His eyes widened, and he placed his finger on his lips, telling Lucia to keep quiet.

“Good morning. This is…”

“I know you. The detective that is bound to disturb me for the rest of my life.”

“Please, I need you to listen to me, Sir. This is a matter of life and death.”

“Life and death? What does me lending a lady my phone have to do with life and death?”

“She called me because she needed help, Sir. I need to rescue her from an evil man.” Alberto heard the man laugh from the other end of his phone, and he looked at the screen of his phone in disgust. “What is so funny?” He thought to himself.

“I am very serious, sir. Her name is Martina, and she was kidnapped by Roberto Galante, the number one wanted criminal in Italy. Please, I need you to help me save her.”

“I think you are misunderstanding something here, detective Alberto. This girl you sound so desperate about is doing fine. She told me this herself.”

“What? Did you see her? When and where did she tell you this?”

“Yesterday. I was at Roberto Galante’s villa to check out one of his men. She was with him, and when I asked her if she was okay, considering the fact that she cried on the day she borrowed my phone, she said yes. So, you are just overthinking.”

Alberto’s eyes widened as he listened to the man talk.

“Hold on a minute, please, you are going too fast. You said you went to check up on one of his men? Why?”

“Because he needed me, of course. What does a doctor do if not check on the sick.”

Alberto nodded and asked him another question.

“So, you saw her in Roberto’s custody, and you asked her if she was okay. Why did you ask this? If she was truly okay, you wouldn’t have asked, right?”

“I asked her because the last time I saw her, she was crying over the phone. I didn’t know what happened that day, but I asked her because I’m a nice person. Why are you asking me all these? I’m running late.”

“I'm asking you because she is not fine! She is in the custody of a harmful man. She wouldn’t have told you anything because maybe somebody was with her… Yes! You said she was with one of Roberto’s men! That is why she couldn’t tell you she is in danger!” Alberto was sitting in front of the table in his bedroom and was jotting things down.

“Can you calm down, Mr. Alberto? You are yelling.”

“I’m so sorry. But I need you to understand that, She… Is… Not… fine! She needs help, and I need you to help me before he leaves Southampton.”

“I need you to prove to me that you are saying the truth.”

Alberto clenched his jaw and threw a punch in the air. He was beginning to get frustrated. “What else does he want me to say? How does he want me to prove this? Why would I lie about this in the first place?” He thought to himself.

He went mute, thinking of what to do when an idea popped up in his head.

“I have proof! I’ll send you a video right now. Please don’t hang up.” Alberto searched his phone for the video of Martina and Roberto in the bar. He sent it to the doctor’s phone number and placed the phone on his ear again.

“Have you gotten it?” He asked nervously.

“I’m watching it already.”

Alberto kept quiet and looked at Lucia. She nodded faintly and got out of bed. She headed to where he sat and hugged him from behind.

“You’ll find her,” She whispered in his ear and planted a kiss on his head. He nodded and watched her walk out of the room.

“You stood against his men.” Alberto heard the doctor respond.

“Yes! And since then he had always wanted to punish her. Do you believe me now? I need your help to find her. She isn’t safe with him.”

“So… what do you want me to do? I don’t know what to do.”

“Good. I need you to send me the address of the villa he is right now. I’m going to alert the FBI in Southampton immediately after I get the address. Can you do this?”

“I think I can. But, I have a session with the same man this morning.”

“Even better! Make sure you record all that is said while you are there, and you forward it to me before you leave.

“What if this puts me in trouble? I don’t know much about him. Why should I risk my life for this?”

“I promise you, doctor, you will be greatly rewarded for this. Italy will never forget you. I need you to help me save her. I sent her on this mission and it backfired.”

“Fine. I’ll do this. This isn’t for you, but for her.”

“I’ll be so much grateful if you do this for her.”

“I’m going now. I need to prepare for my session.”

“Thank you so much, Doctor. What is your name before you go?”

“I am Andrew Peter.”

“Thank you so much, Dr. Andrew.”

He hung up and placed his phone on his desk. He jumped to his feet in excitement and reread what he had written.

“Lucia! I think we have a reasonable lead now! We will find Martina soon.” He picked up his phone and note and ran out of the room.

He got to the living room and saw Lucia in the kitchen.

“Lucia! He has agreed to help me.” He grabbed her from behind and hugged her happily.

“The last time I saw you smile this way was when Martina was still around. When she left, you hardly smiled at me. Now, she is back, and you are so happy. Do you love me at all, Alberto?”

Alberto exhaled loudly and looked at her.

“Lucia, I thought we are passed this already. You know why I am worried about her. I put her in this mess, Lucia. I am responsible for whatever happens to her.”

“Yeah. You say that all the time, and you let your work get in the way of your family too.”

“Lucia…” He felt his phone vibrate. He looked at his phone screen and saw the doctor had sent him the address.

“Lucia, I…”

“Go already. I’ll be fine.” She turned to face the pancakes she was making. She wasn’t happy with her husband. She was beginning to feel there was more to him saving her from Roberto Galante.

“I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” Alberto moved closer to her and kissed her head. He rushed out of the kitchen, and headed to the door.

It was office time.